AG Opinion: Haslam Can Appoint Judges

Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper issued an opinion yesterday stating Gov. Bill Haslam has the legal authority to fill judicial vacancies, despite the expiration of the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission this summer. Following a 2009 change in state law, the governor “has the authority to appoint any qualified person to fill a judicial office that becomes vacant after the termination and wind-down of the Judicial Nominating Commission,” the opinion states. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has more.